The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar.POWAY, CA — Dozens of San Diego area students — including two from Poway — were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced.The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar, and receive a $2,500 scholarship to help them further their education. Roughly 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth ...
The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar.
POWAY, CA — Dozens of San Diego area students — including two from Poway — were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced.
The students are among more than 16,000 semifinalists in the running to be named a National Merit Scholar, and receive a $2,500 scholarship to help them further their education. Roughly 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million will be awarded next spring, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application that provides information about their academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. They must also be recommended by a high school official, receive SAT or ACT scores high enough to qualify, and write an essay.
About 95% of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists are expected to win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Winners will be announced between April and July 2026.
These are the semifinalists in San Diego County:
Carlsbad High School
Pacific Ridge School
Sage Creek High School
Mater Dei Catholic High School
Olympian High School
Coronado High School
Valhalla High School
San Dieguito High School Academy
The Bishop's School
La Jolla Country Day School
La Jolla High School
El Capitan High School
River Valley Charter School
Pacific Coast Academy
Poway High School
Mountain Valley Academy
Academy of Our Lady of Peace
The Cambridge School
Canyon Crest Academy
Del Norte High School
Patrick Henry High School
Heritage Christian School
Homeschool/online school
Maranatha Christian Schools
Mission Bay High School
Mount Carmel High School
Francis W. Parker School
Point Loma High School
Rancho Bernardo High School
San Diego Jewish Academy
Scripps Ranch High School
Torrey Pines High School
University High School
Westview High School
San Marcos High School
Santana High School
Steele Canyon High School